Whereas, the Judicial Oversight Committee has recommended that ASUCI create a Student Advocate General position,

Whereas, the Student Advocate General would be responsible for initiating cases when legislation or an action of ASUCI is considered to be in violation of the ASUCI governing documents,

Whereas, this position would also assist students engaged in disciplinary proceedings with the University,

Whereas, this position would be appointed via a process that involves all three branches of the organization so as to favor no one branch over another and create a position that it is autonomous from all three branches,

Whereas, this position would best be institutionalized through an amendment to the ASUCI Bylaws,

Let it therefore be resolved that the ASUCI Bylaws be amended to include a new article entitled “Student Advocate General” immediately after the article entitled “Judicial Board,”

Let it further be resolved that the article read as follows:

XV. Student Advocate General

A.     Appointment

1.     The Student Advocate General appointment shall be made in accordance with the ASUCI Hiring Policies, as outlined in the ASUCI Resource Manual.

2.     The appointed shall be initiated by a joint nomination of the Executive Cabinet and two Judicial Board representatives.

a.     Either the Judicial Board Chair or Vice-Chair may serve as a representative but not both. This is to ensure that one of these officials remains uninvolved, should the process be appealed to the Judicial Board

b.     The second representative shall be an Associate Justice

3.     The nomination shall then be confirmed by a majority vote of the Legislative Council.

4.     The Student Advocate General shall serve for one academic year and shall assume office at noon on the first day of Commencement. 

B.     Requirements

1.     The Student Advocate General shall be a registered student at the University and possess at least a 2.0 grade point average at the time of appointment and shall be responsible for maintaining at least a 2.0 grade point average throughout his/her term of office.

2.     The Student Advocate General may not hold another elected or appointed position in ASUCI during his/her term and shall immediately forfeit his/her office if they are found responsible for violations under University policies as determined by the Office of Student Conduct

3.     The Student Advocate General shall participate in Student Conduct Board Training at the first available opportunity after their appointment, in the event that they are not already trained by they shall not be eligible to serve on the Student Conduct Board during their term of office.

4.     The Student Advocate General shall participate in Ombuds training in Conflict Mediation at the first available opportunity after their appointment, in the event that they are not already trained.

C.     Duties

1.     Reading weekly all Legislations passed by Legislative Council and accompanying recommendations from the Judicial Board.

a.     In the event that the Student Advocate General considers a legislation to be a violation of the ASUCI governing documents or an infringement of student rights, they may initiate a complaint to the Judicial Board.

2.     Investigating charges of violation of this Constitution, the Bylaws and all other governing documents.

3.     Initiating and prosecuting potential violations of the ASUCI Constitution, Bylaws and other governing documents.

4.     Being available to advise students who independently initiate complaints against ASUCI

5.     Serving as an ex-officio member of the ASUCI Legislative Council Rules Committee

6.     Maintaining a strong knowledge of the ASUCI governing documents and a working knowledge of the University Policies and Student Conduct process.

7.     Providing assistance and support upon request to any undergraduate student and student group involved in disciplinary actions with the University of California, Irvine

a.     They Student Advocate General is available to advise students, but not to represent them. Advising entails giving the student the tools and information necessary to receive due process and remedy their situation.

b.     The Student Advocate General may accompany students to informal disciplinary meetings or hearings, but they may not speak on behalf of the student. They can only offer advice and assist them in preparing statements.

8.     Pointing out issues with University policies to ASUCI and advocating for the amendment of said policies.

9.     Representing the position of ASUCI in discussions with the University or campus administration concerning student rights, campus rules, and other areas of student conduct.

10. Educating the student body about students’ rights, University and ASUCI policies, laws, regulations, and procedures, and to promote awareness of the availability of advice and representation services offered by the Student Advocate General pursuant to this section.

Let it finally be resolved that the ASUCI Bylaws be immediately updated to reflect these changes and that the Executive Officers initiate the application process for the Student Advocate General Position as soon as it is feasible.